Promethean ActivBoard Review

ActivBoard Interactive Whiteboard Features, Pros, and Cons

May 17, 2009
Chad Criswell

Promethean ActivBoard - Promethean

In terms of sales the Promethean ActivBoard is one of the most popular Interactive Whiteboards available, but do its features make it worth the high price tag?

Promethean ActivBoards are one of several different brands of interactive whiteboards (IWB) that are becoming more and more popular both in school classrooms and in office board rooms worldwide. What makes the Promethean ActivBoard stand out from its competitors?

The ActivBoard has many positive attributes as well as several drawbacks that any potential buyer should be aware of before making their final purchase.

Features of the Promethean ActivBoard

The ActivBoard, like other IWB's, allows a user to control their computer from a large touch screen surface. Using a pen like stylus a user need only touch the board's surface to make the computer respond as if a mouse button has been pressed.

The ActivBoard uses what is known as an electromagnetic surface, where the pen is sensed by a magnetic mesh of wires embedded in the surface of the board. Compared to other types of IWB technologies this electromagnetic type of board provides for more accurate details and more precise control of the cursor on the screen.

The ActivBoard is just one part of a larger system that includes a computer (Windows or Mac), and a video projector. The projector projects the image of the computer screen onto the ActivBoard. After a short calibration sequence the board essentially begins to act as a second mouse that can control the computer. Certain ActivBoard models come with the added feature of having a short throw video projector mounted directly onto the board.

ActivBoard Pros:

Large collection of premade and teacher made lessons and activities for the ActivStudio software (via the Promethean Planet web site) make the ActivBoard very versatile and convenient to use in a wide variety of classrooms and applications.
Solid, durable construction resists damage
ActivBoard+2 model provides user adjustable height controls to allow for use by all heights of students plus short throw video projector mounted on the board to prevent having to realign and calibrate the sytem.
The ActivStudio software integrates with other Promethean products including ActiVotes (interactive student response system).
Easy setup and calibration with the ActivPen make for a highly accurate touchable surface.

ActivBoard Cons:

An ActivPen stylus or ActivSlate is required to control the ActivBoard. The board is not touch sensitive to fingertips or other objects.
Rather high cost of ownership

The Promethean ActivBoard is just one of many different brands of interactive whiteboards, but among boards of its class it rises to the top in terms of durability and ease of use. Further, one should never underestimate the importance of the software that drives the board.

It is this software that provides the user with additional controls and options to make the learning experience more effective. In this regard the Promethean ActivBoard shines and makes the system a highly recommended purchase for both school or office.

Chad Criswell - Chad Criswell is a professional educator and freelance technology writer for numerous online and print publications throughout the United ...

Comments

May 19, 2009 2:28 PM

Guest :

nice review; thanks for your time and effort.
In regards to the necessity of a pen, the pen is not only more accurate, but also allows for hovering to see tool tips and navigate Flash menus. It also allows right click and is very friendly for students with special needs, as they frequently need to "brace" themselves on the board with a hand or wrist in order to write.

Two other big benefits are that of the ~12,000 premade lessons and resources online on our collaborative website, www.prometheanplanet.com .

Lastly, the support that comes with the board via Teaching and Learning consultants is immeasurable. Due to the fact that training on the software is only the first step, but continually integrating it to reach your learners is the most important step.

Dave Kootman
Teaching and Learning Consultant, Promethean

Oct 22, 2009 4:45 AM

Guest :

We have over 20 White boards, I can say the use of these boards to education is invaluable, that said and along with the comment about not underestimating the software, it seems as though it is the most over looked by the coders. The USB extension cords don't see the board well, we find ourselves having to reinstall the software after Windows updates, once running it is great, but the effort to get to that point seems rather clumsy. All of our boards work, and the instructors use them and are always yearning for more ways to use them in the class, the IT department does a lot of digging for new content, my only complaint is the software needs to be tested a bit more and would like to see more fixes to keep them running.

Feb 21, 2011 8:14 PM

Guest :

I have Promethean in my classroom and I see a major problem left out.
The software is worse than Microsoft Windows. It crashes constantly, can not handle even medium tasks, and has so many bugs that just do not get fixed with the updates. The last driver update at our school had to be removed as it caused more problems than it fixed. Very VERY poor software. The pens wear out quickly if you use them...have to replace the tip about once a month. Just a way of getting more money I suppose. Go with a SMART board. I have used them before and would see that more was put into programming.

Feb 25, 2011 7:43 AM

Guest :

Promethean has come out with the ActivBoard 500 which IS touch sensitive to fingertips as well as the pen.

4 Comments